积极老龄化视域下老年人消费升级的内在机理与路径选择

The Internal Mechanism and Path Selection of Consumption Upgrading of the Elderly from the Perspective of Active Aging

摘要: 积极老龄化理论为理解老年人经济行为提供了重要分析框架，但其与消费升级的关联机制尚未得到充分阐释。本文基于公开数据，系统揭示了积极老龄化三大支柱(健康、参与、保障)促进老年人消费升级的内在逻辑。研究发现，银发经济消费结构正从“生存型”向“发展型”加速转型；积极老龄化通过健康改善释放医疗支出、社会参与扩展消费场景、保障完善弱化预防性储蓄三重机制推动消费升级。本文认为，应通过完善健康支撑体系、拓展老年人参与渠道、健全社会保障制度，系统释放银发消费潜力。

Abstract: Active aging theory provides an important analytical framework for understanding the economic behavior of the elderly, but its mechanism linking to consumption upgrading has not been fully explained. Based on publicly available data, this paper adopts descriptive analysis and mechanism deduction methods to systematically reveal the internal logic through which the three pillars of active aging (health, participation, and security) promote consumption upgrading among the elderly. The study finds that Silver economy, with the consumption structure accelerating its transformation from a “subsistence-oriented” to a “development-oriented” model. Active aging drives consumption upgrading through three mechanisms: health improvement releasing medical expenditures, social participation expanding consumption scenarios, and security improvement weakening precautionary savings. This paper argues that the potential for silver consumption should be systematically unleashed by improving the health support system, expanding channels for elderly participation, and strengthening the social security system.